2019 NAHL Showcase Begins Today

Sep 18, 2019

Blaine, Minnesota – The 2019 North American Hockey League (NAHL) Showcase begins this morning as all 26 teams have descended upon Blaine, MN and the Schwan Super Rink. Scouts from the NHL and the NCAA (both Division I and III) will be attendance throughout the showcase, giving our players exposure that is unparalleled in junior hockey. 

Beginning this evening, the Jr. Blues will play the Minot Minotauros, Minnesota Wilderness, New Jersey Titans, and Corpus Christi IceRays this week. The games will be counted towards the regular season standings and will be many players first taste of the NAHL. 

Wednesday September 18th @ 7:00 pm

Opponent: Minot Minotauros

2018-19: 36-21-3, 75 pts. (2nd in Central Division)

Lost in Central Division Final to Aberdeen Wings

Last Matchup: Sep. 19, 2014; Minot 4 – Springfield 2

In the first meeting between the Jr. Blues and the Minot Minotauros in almost five years, both teams will open their regular season with hopes of getting off on the right foot. Marty Murray, long-time Head Coach of Minot, will be looking to add on the success of the previous two seasons. The 2017-18 season saw the Minotauros fall in the Robertson Cup Championship game, while last season the eventual champion Aberdeen Wings dispatched Minot in the Division Finals. Springfield and Minot will face-off at 7:00 pm Central Time on HockeyTV. 

Thursday September 19th @ 2:00 pm

Opponent: Minnesota Wilderness

2018-19: 26-29-5, 57 pts. (5th in Central Division)

Did not qualify for Playoffs 

Last Matchup: Dec. 2, 2017; Minnesota 2 – Springfield 5

For the first time in franchise history the Minnesota Wilderness did not qualify for the playoffs. With new Head Coach Jon Vaillancourt behind the bench, the Wilderness will look to return to their 2015 Robertson Cup Championship form. The Jr. Blues and the Wilderness are no strangers, having played four games against each other during the 2017-18 campaign. Springfield and Minnesota will play some afternoon hockey on Thursday at 2:00 pm Central Time on HockeyTV. 

Friday September 20th @ 11:00 am

Opponent: New Jersey Titans

2018-19: 31-26-3, 65 pts. (3rd in East Division)

Lost in East Division Final to Johnstown Tomahawks

Last Matchup: Sep. 23, 2016; New Jersey 4 – Springfield 2

While the Johnstown Tomahawks received most of the credit last season for the East Division, the Titans quietly dispatched the Jamestown Rebels in the 1st Round of the playoffs before pushing Johnstown to the brink of elimination in the Division Finals. A repeat of the Jr. Blues and Titans previous matchup at the 2016 Showcase could be the spark that Head Coach Craig Doremus and the Titans are hoping for to ignite their 2019-20 season. Springfield and New Jersey will play early on Friday at 11:00 am Central Time on HockeyTV. 

Saturday September 21st @ 3:30 pm

Opponent: Corpus Christi IceRays

2018-19: 29-28-3, 61 pts. (4th in South Division)

Lost in South Division Semi-Final to Amarillo Bulls

Last Matchup: Sep. 25, 2015; Corpus Christi 1 – Springfield 3

For the second time this month the Jr. Blues and the Ice Rays will face off, only this time it will count toward the regular season standings. Head Coach Al Rooney will look to build upon the momentum that last year’s wild ride accumulated. Despite being written off in their series against the Amarillo Bulls, Corpus Christi came out swinging and forced the Bulls to a full five games before eventually being defeated. Springfield and Corpus Christi will finish up their showcases on Saturday at 3:30 pm on HockeyTV.